Mesa council continues debate on Park North 120-unit zoning after extensive public comment

The Mesa City Council on Monday continued a zoning case for Park North, a proposed 120-unit multifamily development adjacent to Christopher J. Brady Park, after extensive public testimony and council debate about traffic, compatibility with existing commercial zoning and long-term maintenance costs.

The case matters because the developer asked the council to allow 100 percent residential use in a site zoned limited commercial (LC) with a planned area development (PAD) overlay by removing a code requirement that at least 60% of gross floor area be commercial. Staff said the application requires a council use permit to eliminate that commercial requirement and multiple PAD deviations for setbacks, walls and other standards.

City planner Evan Balmer told council and the public that “staff does find that it complies with the Mesa 20 40 general plan as well as section 69 and 22 of the zoning ordinance and the criteria for a council use permit.” The applicant, represented by attorney Chris Webb of Rose Law Group, said the existing LC zoning already permits multifamily uses up to 25 units per acre and that the site’s configuration, deed restrictions and market studies made commercial development…